Question

(a) What is meant by potential energy of a body? 

(b) A body of mass m is raised to a vertical height h through two different paths A and B. What will be the potential energy of the body in the two cases? Give reason for your answer.

Answer 1

(a) Potential energy is the energy possessed by a body due to its position and shape. 

(b) The potential energy in both the cases is equal. 

P.E. = mgh 

It is independent of the path followed for attaining the height.